SpaceLoft XL is an American sounding rocket developed by the private spaceflight company UP Aerospace. It is designed to provide low‑cost, sub‑orbital access to space for small scientific and technology payloads.
Design and specifications
- Type: Single‑stage, solid‑propellant sounding rocket
- Manufacturer: UP Aerospace (United States)
- Height: 20 ft (6 m)
- Diameter: 10.45 in (26.5 cm)
- Mass: 780 lb (354.5 kg)
- Propellant: Solid fuel
- Engine thrust: 8,240 lbf (36.6 kN)
- Burn time: ≈12 seconds
- Payload capacity: up to 79 lb (36 kg) for a standard sub‑orbital flight; higher masses can reach lower apogees.
- Typical apogee: ≈71.5 mi (115 km); the rocket is reported capable of reaching altitudes up to about 225 km under optimal conditions.
The vehicle is 20 ft long and 10 in in diameter, consisting of a single solid‑fuel motor and a payload fairing. Flights last roughly 13 minutes, with about 4 minutes of weightlessness after motor burnout.
Operational history
Launches are conducted from the company’s launch facility at Spaceport America in Upham, New Mexico. As of 2023, UP Aerospace has performed 20 launches overall, of which 15 have employed the SpaceLoft XL. The record of outcomes includes 12 successes, 3 failures, and several missions that achieved lower‑than‑planned apogees.
- First flight (SL‑1): 25 September 2006 – The vehicle experienced an unexpected aerodynamic effect and crashed after reaching approximately 12 km.
- First successful flight (SL‑2): 28 April 2007 – Delivered the Celestis Legacy payload, which carried cremated human remains, including those of astronaut Gordon Cooper and actor James Doohan.
- Notable high‑altitude flight (SL‑9): 23 October 2014 – Reached an apogee of 77.25 mi (124 km), setting a Spaceport America altitude record for a sounding rocket.
- Recent failure (May 2023): The mission carrying NASA’s Flight Opportunities Program‑8 (FOP‑8) and Celestis‑18 Aurora payloads exploded moments after liftoff.
Launches typically last about 13 minutes, providing more than 4 minutes of microgravity for experiments.
Usage and payloads
SpaceLoft XL missions have carried a variety of payloads, including:
- Academic and student experiments (e.g., NASA’s TechRise Student Challenge).
- Commercial technology demonstrations under NASA’s Flight Opportunities Program.
- Memorial services for human remains through Celestis.
The vehicle’s relatively low cost—reported around US $1 million per launch in 2021—and rapid turnaround (approximately 11 months from contract signing to flight) make it attractive for university, government, and commercial customers seeking sub‑orbital flight opportunities.
Launch vehicle family
SpaceLoft XL is part of UP Aerospace’s SpaceLoft series, which also includes other sounding rockets such as the original SpaceLoft (operational) and the larger SpaceLoft XL‑18 variant.
References
- Wikipedia, “SpaceLoft XL” (accessed April 2026).
- UP Aerospace official website, launch vehicle specifications.
- NASA Flight Opportunities Program documentation.
- Press releases and news articles covering individual launches (e.g., KOAT, KVIA, Space.com).